Probiotics are products aimed at delivering living bacterial cells to the gut ecosystem of humans and other animals, whereas prebiotics are non-digestible carbohydrates delivered in food to the large bowel to provide fermentable substrates for selected bacteria. Food scientists and nutritionists have accepted, relatively uncritically, the concepts underlying the use of probiotics and prebiotics in the promotion of health. Microbiologists and medical practitioners have viewed these products more sceptically. Much more scientific and medical validation of probiotic/prebiotic use is required. This will entail the use of sophisticated analytical methodologies. Knowledge of the gut microbiota has increased dramatically during the past decade thanks largely to the results obtained from the application of nucleic acid-based methodologies. Because of the availability of improved technologies, detailed studies of the two principal kinds of probiotic/prebiotic bacteria, members of the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, can be made. While well-established scientists continue to make important contributions to probiotic/prebiotic research, it is notable that younger scholars are playing a vital role in developing scientific concepts related to the field. Several of these emerging leaders have contributed chapters to this book that therefore represents a state-of-the-art compendium of fundamental science related to early 21st century probiotic/prebiotic research.

Key Features:

Focus on fundamental science

Describes emerging research

A state-of-the-art compendium

Fully up-to-date

Expert scientific authors

Useful index

Reviews:

"Molecular approaches for defining the rich intestinal flora are described in excellent detail ... The book provides an interesting review of current trends."fromFEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology (2006)

"... very well presented ... carefully edited ... This book I would recommend for every medical science library."Dr Stuart AndrewsinAustralian Journal of Medical Science 27: 49-50. (2006)

"... a highly readable and informative book that is suitable for personal and institutional purchase. I would recommend it to anyone with an interest in the human gut microbiota."fromMicrobiology Today (2006)

"This book will be useful to microbiologists, experts in clinical nutrition, pediatricians, and infectious disease experts. All chapters are clearly written and informative ... I would recommend this book ..."fromClinical Infectious Diseases (2006) 42: 1660.

"I found this book to be highly informative, as it provides insights into novel approaches to probiotics and prebiotics. The topics for each chapter have been carefully selected, and the text is well written and sufficiently illustrated. I liked in particular the mentioning of various clinical trials involving probiotics/prebiotics. I believe that this book is an important contribution to the literature on gut microbiota diversity and on strategies to maintain or restore GI tract health. This compendium is useful for both researchers and clinicians who have an interest in this field, such as microbiologists, molecular biologists, and gastroenterologists, as well as nutritionists and food formulation chemists." fromASM Microbe(July 2006)

"... an excellent and authoritative resource ... I highly recommend "Probiotics and Prebiotics: Scientific Aspects" to post-graduate research students and scientists involved in this field because of the wealth of information provided."fromInternat. J. Dairy Technol. (2007) 60: 63-64.